A survivor of the darkest days of Bujumbura in Burundi in the early 90s, an apostle of soul, rhythm & blues and the great Otis Redding, J.P. Bimeni is back with a second album, Give Me Hope, full of optimism and communicative energy.
Give Me Hope grooves between classic ‘60s Motown and Stax-inspired soul, psychedelia and Afro-funk. Inspired by leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and James Stern (the namesake of an empoweringly funky track) and propelled by the wisdom of prolific creators like Lee Scratch Perry, Bimeni’s deep consciousness and vulnerability is on full display without losing pop sensibility.
A descendant of the Burundian royal family whose parents held opposing political views, Bimeni escaped his country aged 15 during the 1993 civil war and genocide. Following multiple attempts on his life, he was given refugee status and fled to Wales. Soon after Bimeni’s arrival at Trinity College in Wales — a school for children who have escaped conflict, where he received a United Nations organised scholarship — Bimeni was taken record shopping for his birthday. He immediately gravitated toward the music of Ray Charles, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye and his idol, Otis Redding.
Music has been his escape, his therapy. But while his first album, Free Me, was super funky and happy, Give Me Hope is deeper and more contemplative, message-driven and resonant with what we’re going through right now. Surrounded by The Black Belts, his faithful band of six Spanish gunslingers, Bimeni has the comfort and confidence to express everything he wants to express.
J.P. Bimeni (vocals), Pablo “Bassman” Cano (bass), Rodrigo Diaz “Niño” (drums), Fernando Vasco “Two Guns” (guitar), Ricardo Martínez (trumpet), Rafael Díaz (saxophone), Alex Larraga (keyboards)
“Will be very hard to beat in 2022”
UK VIBE (UK)
“Full of life and emotion”
MORNING STAR (UK)
“it is an upbeat, shoulder-swaying album that’s just right for sunny days”
BUZZ (UK)
« Bimeni’s soul voice goes right to the heart and guts, bringing to mind the late, great Charles Bradley »
ROLLING STONE (FR)
“The Burundian-born singer reunites with his powerful funk combo The Black Belts on “Give Me Hope”, filled to the brim with groove and optimism. While the energy of funk jams and rhythm and blues radiates throughout the album, the artist offers a profound reflection on the need for unity.
FIP (RADIO FRANCE)
“Give Me Hope’ is a real success for the Burundian soulman and his Spanish band allowing JP to establish his power as a performer «
SOUL BAG (FR)
“His incisive groove has a new energy, with a funkier feel than before. On stage, this fever totally inhabits him, shaking his long frame, sometimes fragile, sometimes solid as a rock. Always moving ”
MARIANNE (FR)
“Powerful funk and rhythm’n’blues, filled with love and optimism, his exultant Soul expresses better than any speech the miracle of resilience”
TÉLÉRAMA (FR)
“Optimism reigns through the strength of the groove and the singer’s soaring vocals. This well-made soul music is deliberately in line with the classic heritage of Stax and Motown.”
MAGIC (FR)
Heart-pounding, raw soul music with a vintage twist”
DER BUND (CH)
“Love the man, love the album!”
RADIO EINS (DE)
Contacts:
PROMO : DUNCAN BALLANTYNE
duncan@ballantynecommunications.com
+34 673 646 029
BOOKING : CARAMBA
jeanherve@nuevaonda.fr
+33 6 99 35 90 72
MDC : MAGGIE DOHERTY
maggie.doherty@music-mdc.com
+331 42 01 95 36
